Champions League draw: Beckham and Mourinho set for dramatic return
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16 teams have made it through the group phase of the Champions League, and the draw in Nyon has pitched Chelsea and Manchester United against two of their former icons.
Former United hero David Beckham will be going back to Old Trafford for the first time since leaving in 2003 after AC Milan were paired with his old club in the first knock-out phase.
And ex-Chelsea boss José Mourinho – who led the club to back-to-back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006 – takes a team to Stamford Bridge for the first time since he was sacked, after his Inter Milan side were paired with the Blues.
Beckham, who is returning for a second loan spell at the San Siro in January, had said before Friday's draw he would relish the chance to play against his old team.
And the midfielder will get his wish to play against his former club on March 10 when United host the Italian giants in the second leg.
Defending champions Barcelona, who were not at their best at times in the group stage, will have to overcome German side VfB Stuttgart if they are to continue their defence of the trophy they lifted in Rome last year.
Nine-time champion Real Madrid - whose Santiago Bernabéu Stadium hosts the final on May 22 - will take on dangerous French opponents Olympique Lyon.
Arsenal will be happy after avoiding all the big clubs when they were drawn against FC Porto, who they have met three times in the last four seasons.
Bayern Munich, who produced a memorable victory away to Juventus to book their place in the last 16, are heading back to Italy to face a Fiorentina side who enjoyed home and away victories over Liverpool.
CSKA Moscow escaped expulsion despite two of their players failing doping tests after their group clash with United and are up against Sevilla.
French champions Bordeaux boasted the best record in the group stages and will have their sights firmly set on further progress after being paired with Greek giants Olympiakos.
British bookmaker William Hill made Barcelona a 3-1 favorite to win the trophy, with Chelsea next at 9-2 and Madrid at 5-1.
The first legs will take place on February 16, 17, 23 & 24, with the second legs on March 9, 10, 16 & 17.
Former United hero David Beckham will be going back to Old Trafford for the first time since leaving in 2003 after AC Milan were paired with his old club in the first knock-out phase.
And ex-Chelsea boss José Mourinho – who led the club to back-to-back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006 – takes a team to Stamford Bridge for the first time since he was sacked, after his Inter Milan side were paired with the Blues.
Beckham, who is returning for a second loan spell at the San Siro in January, had said before Friday's draw he would relish the chance to play against his old team.
And the midfielder will get his wish to play against his former club on March 10 when United host the Italian giants in the second leg.
Defending champions Barcelona, who were not at their best at times in the group stage, will have to overcome German side VfB Stuttgart if they are to continue their defence of the trophy they lifted in Rome last year.
Nine-time champion Real Madrid - whose Santiago Bernabéu Stadium hosts the final on May 22 - will take on dangerous French opponents Olympique Lyon.
Arsenal will be happy after avoiding all the big clubs when they were drawn against FC Porto, who they have met three times in the last four seasons.
Bayern Munich, who produced a memorable victory away to Juventus to book their place in the last 16, are heading back to Italy to face a Fiorentina side who enjoyed home and away victories over Liverpool.
CSKA Moscow escaped expulsion despite two of their players failing doping tests after their group clash with United and are up against Sevilla.
French champions Bordeaux boasted the best record in the group stages and will have their sights firmly set on further progress after being paired with Greek giants Olympiakos.
British bookmaker William Hill made Barcelona a 3-1 favorite to win the trophy, with Chelsea next at 9-2 and Madrid at 5-1.
The first legs will take place on February 16, 17, 23 & 24, with the second legs on March 9, 10, 16 & 17.
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